"Figuring out how things work as a first-generation student constantly seems like an uphill battle. This program helped to answer a lot of questions that would have made me feel lost for the first year of law school."
– Participant, Law School Success
Get the Tools You Need to Succeed in Law School
Law school can be difficult to figure out. The academic expectations and standards are different from what you may be used to, and the modes of analysis, writing, and exam-taking may be unfamiliar to you. That's why we have created Law School Success — a program, which will help you demystify the academic skills needed for success in law school, including study, analytical, writing, and exam skills. Whether you're about to start your first semester or want to perform better in your second semester, Law School Success will teach you to think like a lawyer and provide guidance at the onset of your legal education journey. You will also have the opportunity to begin professional development to build the business knowledge that will help you get ready to compete in today’s legal landscape.
Legal Analysis Boot Camp
Lawyers are problem-solvers, which is the reason why much of what you will be learning in law school emphasizes solving problems like a lawyer. Specifically, lawyers use inductive and deductive reasoning to find the answers to legal questions. In this course, you’ll be guided through the process of solving a series of legal questions so you can begin to establish this crucial skill before your first day of law school. You’ll be able to practice what you learn by applying legal writing and analytical skills to a practice law school exam adapted from the Multistate Performance Test, created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The practice exam is followed by a guided review of a sample answer and scoring rubric so that you understand how to improve your writing and analytical skills.
Modules
Video Module
Welcome to Legal Analysis Boot Camp!
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
In this webinar, we’ll introduce you to the core program components of the Legal Analysis Boot Camp and allow ample time for Q&A. This session will be recorded.
Video Module
Hear From the Students
Current law students share how strengthening logical reasoning skills helped them on their law school exams and in job placement.
Video Module
Introduction and Learning Outcomes
In this brief module, we’ll explain the goals and learning outcomes of Legal Analysis Boot Camp and what you can expect from the program.
Video Module
What Is a Rule of Law?
Rules of law form the backbone of legal analysis. In this module, you’ll learn the definition of a rule of law and how to recognize one.
Video Module
An Introduction to Deductive Reasoning (IRAC)
Learn how to use the IRAC (Issue-Rule-Application-Conclusion) method to better understand cases and structure your answers on law school exams.
Video Module
The Components of a Judicial Opinion
Judicial opinions are not narratives; they are functional problem-solving documents. Find out how to understand their components.
Video Module
Extracting the Rule of Law – Part 1
Learn how to identify and extract a rule of law from a judicial opinion.
Video Module
Extracting the Rule of Law – Part 2
Another opportunity to practice identifying and extracting a rule of law from a judicial opinion.
Video Module
Synthesizing a Rule of Law
Some rules of law are complete; others need to be put together piece by piece like a jigsaw puzzle. In this module, you’ll learn how to do just that.
Video Module
Dissecting a Fact Pattern
“Fact patterns” are hypothetical scenarios you must analyze during law school exams. In this module, we’ll analyze the fact pattern used on the upcoming practice exam.
Video Module
Using IRAC to Generate Your Exam Answer
Learn and practice using the IRAC structure to draft answers to essay exams.
Video Module
Practice Exam
It’s time to try your hand at writing a law school exam answer!
Video Module
Reviewing Your Exam with a Sample Answer
How did you do on the practice exam? Let’s compare your answer to a sample answer and learn ways to improve your exam technique based on this comparison.
Video Module
Legal Analysis Boot Camp Wrap-Up
Thursday, July 21, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
In the closing webinar, we’ll look at the sample exam answer in greater depth and answer your questions. This session will be recorded.
Law School: What You Really Need to Know
It is often said that your first semester of law school is like “drinking from a fire hose.” You are there to learn the black letter law, but you are also there to raise your learning game. In this program, you will be able to take more in-depth and interactive modules on key academic skills like reading and briefing cases, participating in class, taking notes, outlining, and preparing for your law school exams.
Modules
Video Module
Welcome to Law School: What You Really Need to Know
Monday, August 15, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Law school is about to begin, so knowing what’s coming and how to manage your time is more important than ever! Susannah Pollvogt and Melissa Hale will talk about what to expect in your first semester of law school, as well as planning when to do what. This session will be recorded.
Presenters: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC; Melissa Hale – LSAC
Video Module
The Judicial System and Sources of Law
What is the difference between a trial court and an appellate court? How do state and federal courts interact? Where does law come from and what is the difference between a case and a statute? Learn the various sources of law, as well as an introduction to the judicial system and why that’s important.
Presenter: Ashley London – Duquesne School of Law
Video Module
Belonging in Law School
Many law students—especially first-generation law students—are uncertain whether they truly “belong” in law school. It’s important to realize you are not alone in feeling this way, and that these feelings can be overcome with connection and community. Hear from three faculty members about why students sometimes feel they don’t belong and techniques for addressing those feelings.
Presenters: Emily Grant – Washburn University School of Law; Kirk Walter – Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Russell McClain – University of Maryland Carey School of Law
Video Module
Belonging in Law School
Monday, August 22, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Join Kirk Walter, Russell McClain and Emily Grant and their students for a Q&A on belonging in law school. This session will be recorded.
Video Module
Advanced Case Briefing
Take a deeper dive into how to read cases, and how to brief them. This will help you prepare better for class and, eventually prepare you better for your final exam.
Presenter: Kiyana Kiel – California Western School of Law
Video Module
Becoming an Expert Learner
Learn the processes used to plan, monitor, and assess one's understanding and performance. To become an expert learner, you need to learn to think about how you think, and think about how you learn.
Presenter: Nicole Lefton – Hofstra University School of Law
Video Module
Advanced Note Taking
Do you know what note taking methods work best for you? Are you confident you know what to write down from class lectures? Professor Laura Mott help you perfect your law school note taking, as she gives you tips and tricks and helps you decide what is important.
Presenter: Laura Mott – CUNY School of Law
Video Module
How to Take Notes Like A Pro!
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET
Join Professor Laura Mott and students for a Q&A on how to take the best notes for your exam! This session will be recorded.
Presenter: Laura Mott – CUNY School of Law
Video Module
Outlining: Putting it all Together
Professor Toni Miceli will teach you how to consolidate your class notes and start synthesizing your materials, or “outline.” This is a key element in the study process, and will help you start to prepare for exams.
Presenter: Toni Miceli – St. Louis University School of Law
Video Module
Practicing to Learn: Using Multiple-Choice
Learn why legal multiple-choice questions are different, as well as the best ways to practice and learn from those practice questions, since after all, practice makes progress.
Presenter: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC
Video Module
Exam Preparation
Get guidance on how to best prepare for exams, from how and when to practice, to how to prepare on the day of the exam in a way that ensures you maximize your points!
Presenter: Melissa Hale – LSAC
Video Module
Issue-Spotting for Exams
For many law students, spotting issues in law school exams is one of the most difficult things to master. However, it’s difficult to succeed on an exam if you don’t spot all the issues. Let Professor Kris Franklin take you through the process step-by-step!
Presenter: Kris Franklin – New York Law School
Video Module
The “A” in IRAC
The A, or Analysis, in IRAC is usually where you can pick up most of your points, and it’s typically where most students struggle. Professor MaryAnn Herman will guide you through that process, just in time for your final exams!
Presenter: MaryAnn Herman – Duquesne School of Law
Video Module
Receiving Feedback
Receiving feedback that is critical can be hard and knowing what to do with that feedback can be even harder. Susanna and Melissa will talk about what to do with negative feedback, and how to turn it into a positive experience.
Presenters: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC; Melissa Hale – LSAC
Becoming an Expert Learner
Your first semester of law school is over. You've taken your exams and received your grades. Now what? Becoming an Expert Learner will help you assess your academic performance up until this point and provide you with a roadmap to improvement. It also offers helpful resources on managing stress while in law school, performing your best on your oral argument, and effectively memorizing and applying rules of law for your next set of exams.
Modules
Video Module
You Got Your Grades, Now What?
How to assess what worked, what didn’t work, and how to continue to improve for future learning and your professional career.
Video Module
Assessing Exams and Practice Questions
Effectively assess your essays and practice questions—an invaluable skill for law school.
Video Module
Nerding Out on Rules: A Guide to Learning and Using Legal Rules
Different rule types, how to spot them, and how to use them most effectively on exams.
Video Module
Memorization v. Understanding
What’s the difference? And how to improve comprehension and make memorization easier.
Video Module
The Science of Memorization: Spaced Repetition
Learn about the spaced repetition method to use your study time more efficiently.
Video Module
Finding Balance: Incorporating Self-Care Into Your Law School Schedule
Creating healthy habits that support your mental and physical health and help you manage your time.
Video Module
The Importance of Mental Health in Law
Concrete techniques that promote mental health to use through law school and into your career.
Video Module
Oral Advocacy Tips
Tips and best practices on this second-semester skill, which is central to your future in law.
Video Module
Networking and Interviewing: Best Practices for Aspiring Lawyers
How to thoughtfully explore professional paths and network when you don’t know where to begin.
Modern Law Practice (MLP) Certification
The skills you need to navigate and succeed in today’s complex legal landscape.
MLP is the only online learning program that is solely focused on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that legal employers of all sizes are seeking. Delivered by experienced professors and lawyers, it is an award-winning upskilling program that improves employability and effectiveness in the modern business environment. It consists of 10+ hours of asynchronous instruction in six discrete topics sought by employers and clients:
- Data analytics
- Product and service design
- Legal technology
- Process improvement and project management
- Business and finance
- Modern legal services market
Upon passing the exams in all six courses, you will earn a certification, which can easily be incorporated on your résumé and social media profiles like LinkedIn.
I found the curriculum very rigorous, but I enjoyed it. Law school is heavy on theory. In contrast, MLP helps you understand the business aspects of law, and that’s so important for young lawyers who want to make it in this industry, which is changing rapidly.
- Trezell Ragas, Southern University Law Center ‘21
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